VEDIC PALMISTRY AT THE BIRLA CENTRE, QUEBEC
by Anne Dimon
The soulful cry of a loon pulls me from one of the best sleeps I’ve had in a long time. Who would not sleep well here? The serene, lakeside setting, that has been home to The Birla Center for Hast Jyotish since 1972, is most conducive to shut eye and the lost art of simple relaxation.
Sleep aside, I’m here to have my palm read. If you’re thinking – “yeah right, palm reading, crystal balls and tea leaves” – I too was a little skeptical, but not anymore.
Set-up like a small village and surrounded by rolling farmlands about an hour’s drive north east of Ottawa in the town of Cheneville, Quebec, The Birla Centre is the largest Vedic palmist institute of its kind in North America. Vedic Palmistry (aka Hast Jyotish), which originated in Indian some 5,000 years back, is the study of the structure and markings of the human hand. Its purpose is to help one gain self-understanding, so don’t expect to hear that you’re going to meet your true love or receive an unexpected windfall.
Under the direction of master Vedic palmist, astrologer, author, lecturer and teacher Ghanshyam Singh Birla who came to Canada from India in 1970, the institute offers a government-recognized Palmistry Diploma. At the time of my visit, Patricia – a yoga instructor from Germany – was here on a three-week study program.
The centre is also a healing retreat.“People come here for body, mind and spirit,” says Guylaine Vallée one of the many palmists/astrologers trained by Ghanshyam.
Each session begins with an inking and making of imprints. Next, in a private office, Vallée, a palmist for the last 23 years, pours me a cup of mint tea and launched into the 50-minute analyses which takes me through her thesis on who I am and what I need to do to improve my life. She’s atonishingly accurate. One of the many things she points out is that I’m very creative, but that I do too many things too quickly, and that I need to learn to relax more. She recommends yoga, meditation and massage. Coincidentally, I’m book for a massage immediately following the session.
There is no actual spa here, only Ayurvedic massages such as the one I’m scheduled for at the hands of therapist Chandan Rugenius. The special blended oils he uses and the colour therapy lights over the treatment table are all designed to help a body relax. While this 100-minute massage (which includes reflexology) may seem like a long time – it’s pretty standard here where massages can actually be extended up to four-hours for someone with specific health problems or who is experiencing blockages (due to extreme stress, for instance). Like everyone else here in this wellness community Rugenius is multi-tasking – therapist, palmist, yoga instructor and meditation coach.
In the meditation pavilion overlooking the lake, he gives me a quick lesson on meditation, a practice that will help still mind, calm the body and – according to wide spread belief – helps preserve the body and extend life.
Except for the new, two-story, self-contained four-bedroom log guest house with it’s beautiful stone fireplace, the collection of buildings that make up the centre are more homey than fancy, and there’s a feeling of “camp comfort” that prevails. All meals – served in a large dining room are vegetarian and are most Indian theme with recipes taken from their own cookbook – Simple Pleasure of the Indian Table.
Along with palm reading, yoga, meditation, detox and Ayuvedic massages, there are walking trails on the 500-acres property, paddling activities and, of course, catching up on much needed snooze time.
- - -
If you go: A one-night Ayurvedic massage and hand analysis package including meals and accommodation is $250 per person, double occupancy. For more info: www.birlacenter.com
